Apparatus for splicing rubber articles



'Dec.17, 1935. J. HAAsE 2,024,577`

' APPARATUS Fon sPLIcI'NG RUBBER ARTICLES l Filed March 26, 1931 2Sheets-Sheet 1 ln-vc ufo@ ZHaoM/ duo: new

Dec. 17, 1935. J. HAAsE. `2,024,577

A 4 f l APPARATUS FOR SPLICING RUBBER ARTICLES Filed latch 2s, 1931 2sheets-sneer 2 uw u Patented `Dec.A l 1.7,- 1935 UNITED STATES PAT-ENTy' oFricE nPPAnATUs Fglirgmo RUBBER i I v 'Jurgen I. Haase, Akron, Ohio,assignor to Wing? root Corporation, Wilmington; Del., a corporation ofDelaware Application March 26, 1931, Serial No. '525,416'

37 Claims.

This invention relates to a method of and apamples of such articles arethe hollow. rubber tubes' of the type employed for retaining air Withinpneumatic tires and the strips of rubber used to form tire treads.

one object of that invention is to provide e.,

method of and apparatus for splicing contiguous ends or portions ofrubber in which'the por'- tions to be joined together are movedtogetherin abutting relation and lare held in that position for asumcient lengthof time to insure adhesion.

Another object ofthe, invention is to provide a method'oi? splicing endsof rubber bodies in which the use of cement is obviated.-

` tomary to form a cylindrical tube of unvulcanized rubbercompound.According to one methodgof treating these tubes, the ends thereofwere'skived to a feather edge, after which the skived portions werebufiedand coated with a rubber cement and y then brought intooverlapping relation to form a joint. Lal hollow molds and inflated witha suitable fluid and cured as -endless rings. This method was termed thefull mold method.

A second method comprised placing the green or unvulcanized tubes uponmandrelsand then subjecting a plurality of--tubes simultaneously tovulcanization in a pot type heater or vulcanizing chamber. After thecure was effected, the tubes were stripped from the mandrels 'and' the-ends thereof were buiied toa feather edge and then coated with acement. The cement coated portions were next joined together andthesplice lappingrelation and also' because of the excessive labor requiredto coat each individual tube with cement. Furthermore, thesplice thusobtained in some vcases was weak and under 'severe usage l The tubeswere then placed in individseparation sometimes occurred. Also, thesplice sometimes resulted in the formation of unsightly ridges about thetube.

This invention involves an apparatus for and method of splicing tubes,tread stock, or other 5 rubber articles in winch the portions to bejoined are cutsq'uarely or-substantially squarely across jby means of asuitable cutting device'and the freshly severed ends are then broughttogether directly into abutting relation'and are held in 10 thatposition until adhesion takes place between the freshly severed ends.,In splicing tubes the ends of the latter'are flattened and united in aattened condition'.

For a better understanding of the invention, 15 reference may now be hadto the accompanying drawings, forming-a part of the specification, inwhich:

Fig. 1 is a rear elevationalview of a machine which maybe employed inpracticing the inven- '20 tion;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the embodiment of the inventiondisclosed in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the device disclosed in Figs. land2; 25

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of the mechanismfor severingthe ends of tubes and forming the splice between the ends;

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken substan- 30 tially upon the lineV--V of Fig.2;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary View, disclosing the carriages for moving theends of the tubes into abutting relation and the knife vfor severing theends,

in detail;

- Fig. 7 is a view-fof the-elements disclosed in Fig; 6. but disclosingthem in a different phase with respect to each other in the cycle ofoperation;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view of a portion of an 40 inner tube disclosingthe splice which has been .formed therein;

Fig. 9 is a conventional diagram of the pneumatic system employed forcontrolling the operation of the various elements of the splicing ma- 45chine;

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a diaphragm valve employed forcontrolling the admission of fluid under compression to the actuatingcylinders of the machine; and i 50 Fig. vl1 is a diagrammatical View cia switch employed for controlling the operation of' a cam actuatingmotor.

' In practicing the invention, a base 2t is formed with an oilsetportion 22 having a verticalpor- 55 tion 24 upon which brackets 23 aresecured. cylinder 20, attached to these brackets, has a stumng box orgland 30 which forms a fluid tight nt about the piston rod 32 thatextends downwardly into the cylinder 20 and at its lower extremity isrigidly attached to a piston head 34 of conventional construction.'Fluid under compression for actuating the piston is vadmitted to theupper and lower extremities of the cylinder -by means of conduits 30 and30 which lead to control devices, indicated generally at 39, in Fig. 9,which are to be described later.

The upper extremity of the piston rod 32 is rigidly attached to a rack40 that engages gears 42 most clearly shown in Fig. l. These gears arerigidly mounted upon horizontal shafts 44 that extend forwardly throughand are journaled in the side of a housing 40 which is mounted upon theupper portion of the member 24 of the housing 20. The portions oftheshaft 44 within the housing 40 have pinions 40 mounted thereon thatengage and reciprocate a pair of horizontal racks 50 that are supportedupon the lower faces of carriages or plates 52. formed with guides 54that slide upon mating guides 56 upon the upper face oi' the housing 46.

As best shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the carriages 52 have upwardly extendingbrackets 58 secured to the rear edges thereof and provided at theirupper ends with rearwardly projecting bifurcated portions 60 thatconstitute bearings for pins 62 `upon which brackets 64 upon the upperends of cylinders 66 are hingedly mounted. Pistons 60 within thesecylinders are rigidly secured to downwardly projecting piston rods 'I0which extend outwardly from the cylinder through stuffing boxes 12 ofconventional design'. The pistons 68 are actuated by means of fluidunder compression admitted respectively to the upper and lower ends ofthe cylindersby means of flexible conduits 'i4 and 10 (see Figs. 1 and9). The flow of fluid through the latter is controlled by means of thecontrol system 39. i

The lower extremities of piston rods 10 are hingedly attached to arms 10which are hinged upon shafts 00 that extend inwardly from the lowerportions of the brackets 00. ArmsJB have forwardly extending portions 02that have clamping surfaces formed upon the lower faces thereof thatengage rubber articles such as the ends of an inner tube 00 and clampthe latter in flattened condition upon the carriages 52. Sinuations 04are formed on the sides of the clamp arms. A cross bar 00interconnecting side plates 00 of the housing 2K0 has inwardlyprojecting brackets 92 secured thereto and an anvil actuating cylinder04 is mounted upon these brackets. This cylinder receives a piston whichact'uates a piston rod 90 having an anvil or platen |00 mounted upon theupper extremity thereof.

As shown in Fig. 5, the anvil |00 is'formed with notched or serrulatededge portions |02 which mate with corresponding edges |04 upon thecarriages 52. '111e anvil |00 is elevated to a position between the endsof the carriages 02 and afterward lowered, to permit the ends of thecarriages to approach each other, by the admission of fluid undercompression to the proper end of the cylinder 04 by means of upper andlower conduits |00 and |00 (see Figs..2 and 9). These conduits lead to.the control mechansm 30 previously referred to.

The housing 20 also has an upwardly extending portion i0, upon theforward-face of whichbrack- 'Ihe latter elements are tion of the piston|30 will be described later.

A a `vertical cylinder `||4 which housesa piston 'l |22 which, as shownin Figs. 3 and 4, vis attached to the lower extremity of the piston rodH6. A pair of parallel knives |24 are secured` to the sides of thebracket |22 in such position that the 10 edges thereof contact with andsever projecting end portions of rubber articles which may be disposedupon the carriages 52 when the slide |20 is lowered. Ihese knives havesinuations |26 formed therein which correspond to the notches 15serrulations |02 and |04 in the edges of the anvil |00 and the carriages02. Fluid for actuating the piston rod I6 is admitted to the cylinder||4 by means of upper and lower conduits |28 and |30 (see Figs. 2 and 9)which, like the conduits 20 previously described, are connected to thecommon valve control devices 39.

An electrical resistance |32, shown in Fig. 6, of conventional design,is mounted upon the bracket |22 a'ndis attached to any convenient 25source of current (not shown). This element constitutes means forheating the knives 24 and thereby assists in the severing of the ends ofthe rubber articles by reducing the drag of the severed surface of thestock on the knife, which drag 30 usually is substantial when a coldknife is used. Also, the heat renders the ends of the tubes soft andtacky and thus promotes the union when the ends are brought intocontact. However, it is to be understood that it is not necessary tosupply 35 l heat to the rubber articles, as the splice may be made cold,but,it is preferred that heat be supplied. Brackets |34, secured to therear face of the extension ||0 upon the housing 20, support a verticalcylinder |36 which has a piston 'head 40 |30 mounted therein. 'Ihis headis attached to and actuates a vertically disposed piston rod |40 that`extends downwardly and, at its lower end at a predetermined point in thecycle of operation of the machine, engages the' upper end of the 45'rack 40. .'I'he piston is actuated downwardly by means of fluid undercompression which is admitted through upper conduit |42. Lower conduit|44 leads to the atmosphere and the opera- 50 The piston head |30 andthe piston head 34 are so controlled that 'during upward movement ofAthe latter, the head |30 can be disposed in the lowermost positionwithin the cylinder |30. In the latter position, the lower extremity ofthe 55 rod |40 is disposed in the path of the rack 40 near the upperlimit of travel of the latter. The

- cylinder |30 is of such size that the total pres-v sure upon thepiston |30 is greater -than that upon the piston 34. Therefore, the rod|40 over- 60 l comes the upward urge exerted by the rack 40 and thusacts as a stop fr the latter. If thev rack should go completelyup beforepressure is supplied to piston |30 -to limit this upward movement, therack. w ill be forced downwardly 05 to its correct position as soon assuch presets ||2 are secured, and these brackets support tion tendstofree theknivffromtherubber 10 pound constituting 4the ends o! the tubeand thus prevents adhesion between the latter and the knives. y

The mechanism for controlling the operation secured to a tubular upperbranch |12 of ,a threeway valve body |10. The latter also comprisesiubularv branches |16 and |18 which are disposed in coaxial alignmentwith respect to each other and at right angles with respect to the 4axisof the branch |12. The body further includes a downwardly extendingtubular branch |80 whichv 1s disposed in coaxial alignment with thebranch |12. A partition|02 extends diagonally across the intersectionformed by the branches, |16|10 and |12|00 in such manner as to separatevthe passage of the branch |16 from the branch |18 and correspondinglyto separate the passages in-V the branch |12 from that within the branch|00. An opening |84 is formed in this partition and the lower extremityof the valve stem |68 projects therethrough and is provided with a head|06 which is adapted to seat against the lower face of the partition|82. thus to close the 'open` ing |00. The lower face of the head valsoseats against the upper faceV of' a transversely extending partition|08, whichv is disposed across the upper'end'of the opening within thebranch |00, thusclosing an opening |00 formed in the latter.

It is thus apparent that when the head |66 is depressed to closethe'opening |90 that a passage is formed through the branch |16, theopening |85 within the partition |02 and outwardly through the branch|10, thereby permitting a flow of iiuid lunder compression therethrough.However, when the head |86 is elevated, the passage |00 is closed andiiuid is permitted to circulate through the branch |80, the opening |00and the branch |16. Fluid under compression for controlling thediaphragm |60.-is admitted to the dome |62 by means of a conduit |84,indicated in Fig. l0. l

As best shown in Fig. 9. the domes of valves |50 and |52 areinterconnected by means of conduit |00, to which fluid under compressionfor actuating the diaphragms Within the valves is supplied by means oi aconduit |96. The lower branch |80 of valve |50-;;is connected by means'ci a conduit |88 to a conduit 200, which, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3,constitutes a manifoldintegrally cast with the base or housing 20 andwhich supplies kiiuid to the system under relatively high pressure. Thecorresponding branch of valve |52 is connected by means of ,conduits 202and 200 1 to an exhaust mumer 2|2 which 'permits the 'escape of iiuidunder compression from the `valves tothe outer atmosphere. Similarly,branch |18 of valve |50 is connected to a conduit 2 I0, which alsodischarges into the conduit 208 and from thence into the muffler 2|2.Branch |18 of valve |52` is connectedbto the fluid pressure main 200 bymeans of a conduit 2|0. The remaining branches |16 of valves |62 and |50arerespec' tively connected to the upper and lower ends o! the rack andcarriage operating'cylinder 28 by means of conduits 22B-88 and 222-38. l

It is Vthus apparent that by admitting flui under compression to the,conduit |06, the dia-h phragms |60 of the valves |50 and |52 are simul-5 taneously actuated downwardly to close the opening |00 to the branches|80 of the valves. This movementpennits the escape of fluid through theconduits 222 and 2M from the lower end oi the cylinder 20.Simultaneously, a passage is opened through the lvalve |52 and theconduits 2|6 and 220 to permit the iiow of fluid to the upper end of thecylinder 28, thereby causing the piston 30 to travel downwardly to movethe carriages 52'toward each other. Release of pressure 15 Within theconduit |80 permits the diaphragms within the valves |50 and |62 torise, thus open?- ing the passages |80 and closing the passages |00.This movement permits duid from'the main 200 to pass upwardly throughconduit |98, valve |50 and conduit 222 to the lower end of cylinder .28,thus actuating the piston 00 upwardly. Si.-

multaneously, the fluid within the cylinder 28 is permitted to exhaustthrough conduit 220, valve |52, conduit 202 and conduit 200 to themuffier 2|2. A'l'.his movement upwardly of the piston 30 operates rack00 to move the carriages 52 apart, The diaphragms of valves |50 and |50are simultaneously actuated by means of an interconnecting conduit 220which is supplied with actuating fluid by means of a conduit 226. Branch|18 of valve |00 is connected to muiller 2|2 by means oi.' conduits 228,206 and 208 while the corresponding branch f valve is connected to theiluid 35 supply main 200 by means of a conduit 230. The lower branchesof valves |50 and |55 are respectively connected to the conduitl |08 andto the mumer 2|2 by conduits 232'and conduits 230, 206 m1417200. Theremaining branches |15 of 40 these valves are respectively connected tothe lower and upper extremities of .the knife operating cylinder ||0 bymeans of conduits |30 and |28.

Downward actuation of the control rods |68 oi 45 valves |50 and |50opens. by uid through conduit 22d, the exhaust passage from the lowerend oi knife operating cylinder i0 through conduits |00, 220, 205 and200 to muiiler 2|2 to permit downwardmcvcment of piston rod IIS. Si- 50multaneously, uid iiows through conduits 230 and |20 to actuate thepiston rod i0 downwardly. Release oi pressure within the conduit 225causes rods |00 to rise, thus allowing the exhaust fluid lo escape'fromthe upper end of cylinder H0 to 55 escape through conduit |28, valve|56, conduits 23d, 206 and 200 to mumer 2|2. This operation isaccompanied by ilow of fluidunder pressure through conduits |00, 232,valve |5|and conduit |80 to actuate pistonrod H6 upwardly. 60

Fluid under compression for operating the piston 00 that controls theanvil |00 is supplied to the upper and lower ends of cylinder 94 bymeans oiconduits |00 and |08. The latter con- *duit4 leads toa branch281 which further leads 65 it is provided with an exhaust openingthrough which the fluid under compression is permitted to escape in suchmanner as to blow the severed portions of the tubes which are beingspliced upon the anvil therefrom.

The strength and duration of the blast of air upon the anvil is greatlyincreased by reason L the reservoir 240 which constitutes a smallstorage chamber that increases the volume of air which is exhausted fromthe cylinder. The diaphragm |64 of valve |60 may conveniently becontrolled by means of uid admitted to the dome |62 by means of aconduit 248. A constant pressure of relatively low value is maintainedupon the upper face of the piston 86 by means of conduit |06, which-leads to the upper end of the cylinder I94 'and to the supply line 238,that in turn leads to a tank 25,0, which is supplied with fluid underrelatively low pressure by means of a reducing valve 25| and a conduit25|a leading to conduit 200. It will be observed that conduit 231 alsocommunicates with conduit |42 leading to the upper end of cylinder |36.The purposevof this arrangement will be better understood later.

Valve |58 is supplied with fluid under compression by means of a conduit252 which leads to a tank 254 containing fluid under materially higherpressure than that contained in the tank 250. The lower branch |80 ofthis valve is also connected to the exhaust muier 2|2 by means ofconduits 2ss.`z2s, zot and 20a. The remaining branch |16 of the valvesupplies fluid under relatively high pressure to the clamp operatingcylinders 86 through aconduit 258 which, in turn, is connected toflexible branches 16 that lead to the respective 'cylinders Fluid foractuating the diaphragm within the valve is supplied through a conduit262, which in turn is connected to a conduit 264 that leads to theconduit 238 and to points to be described later. It will benoted byreference to Fig'. 9 that the low pressure supply line 238 alsocommunicates with conduit 14 to constantly supply fluid under lowpressure to cylinders 66 to urge pistons 68 downwardly whenever thepressure on the lower faces of these pistons is released.

The ow of fluid through the conduit 264 from low pressure line 238 iscontrolled by means of manually operated valves 268, which are so spacedshown in Figs. 2, 3 and 9. This shaft is provided ldesired sequence.

intermediate of its length with a gear 210, which intermeshes with apinion 212 that is driven by means of a small motor 214. As shown inFig. 2, the shaft may be ljournaled within suitable bearings 218 withina case 218, which is mounted upon the forward face of an upwardlyextending bracket 288. y

A series of cams 282, 284, 286 and 288, mounted upon the shaft 288, areof such configuration as to operate valve stems 280, which extenddownwardly from valves 292, 294, 296 and 298 in the 'Ihese valves are ofconventional construction and are interconnected by means of a manifold300, best shown in Figs. 2 and 9. Fluid under compression is supplied tothe manifold for distribution to the valves by means of conduit 88.2,which leads to the low pres- /sure line 238. The valves 282, 294, 296and 298 are respectively connected to conduits |86, 248,

,'228 and 264 in such mannerthat at a predetermined point in the cycleof operation of thecams, 5 the valves are operated to permit the flow ofiluid through conduit 302, the manifold 300 and the previously mentionedconduits to operate valves |58, |52, |54, |56, |58 and |60. .Aswillsubsequently be made more clear, valve 294 is initially held open in thecycle of operation byy cam 284,

but valves 292, 286 and 288 are initially closed.

As best shown in Fig. 9, the motor 214 is supplied with actuating4current through conductors 306 one of which leads to a switch 3|0. As 15shown in Fig. 11, this switch includes a pivoted arm 3|2 which, at itsupper end, is attached to a cross arm 3|4 that engages the outerextremities of a pair of small piston rods 3|6 and 3|8. Rod

8|6 extends within acylinder 328, the rear end of 2'0 which communicates'with a conduit 322 leading to the conduit 264. Upon operation of valves266, fluid flows from the low pressure line 238 through the conduit 264and the conduit 322 to actuate the piston in the cylinder 320, thus toyswing the thus maintained in operation by fluid through u valve 298until cam 282 opens valve 292.v As soon as the latter valve opens, fluidflows through manifold 300 into a conduit 326 leading to a cylinder 324,similar to cylinder 328 and in which piston rod 3|8 operates. 'I'heoperation of rod 40 8|8 is similar to that of rod 8|6 and holds arm 3|2in vposition to maintain the motor in operation until the cam shaft hasmade a complete revolution. In order that the operation of the motorwill be continuous, the rod 3|8 is actuated 45 prior to the closing ofvalve 288 and the consequent release of rod 3|6. After a completerevolution has been made by the cam shaft, both the valve 282 and thevalve 288 are in such position that the ilow of fluid through conduits322 and 826 is cut off and it remains so until the manually controlledvalves 266 are operated to initiate the next cycle. l v 1 In describingthe operation of the machine, it will be assumed that all of theelements are in their initial positions with the motor 214 stopped. Insuch positions, it will be apparent that the piston 34 will-be elevatedand the carriages 52 separated, due to the flow of fluid from themanifold 200, Athrough conduit |98, valve |50, conduit 222 and conduit38 to the lower end of cylinder 28. However, piston 34 will not becompletely elevated at this time because piston rod |40 is being urgeddownwardly to limit the upward movement of rack 40 and consequently of65 piston 34. In order to permit piston rod |40 to be urgedy downwardlyat this time, cam 284 is ,arranged to hold open valve 284 to permit aflow of uid from the low pressure supply line 238 through conduit 802,manifold 300, valve 284 and TO conduit 248 to the dome of valve |60.Valve stem |68 of the latter valve thus will be urged downwardly toallow fluid to pass from manifold 200 through conduit 244, valve |60,conduit 242, reservoir 240, conduit 231 andconduit |42 to 75 pressuresupply lin'e 238, but the pressure enterthe upper end of cylinder |36 inwhich piston |38 is located. In their initial positions, the carriages52 are separated sufficiently to. permit the anvil to be arrangedtherebetween with the serrations |02 of the anvil interfltting withthetain the anvil in elevated position as long as ,the

flow of Vfluid continues in the manner stated. It will be noted thatconduit |06, leading to the upper end of cylinder 94 is connected to thelow tion of the pistons 68 isdownward, due to the flow of fluid from thelow pressure supply lin'e 238, through conduit 'F4 into the upper endsofcylinders 66. Therefore the clamp arms 82 will be out of clampingposition initially The knives will be elevated initially, due to the`flowr of fluid through manifold 200, conduits |98 and 282,-

valve |50, and conduit into the lower end of the cylinder |98 associatedwith theknives.

At this timethe ends of an inner tube to be spliced are disposed uponthe carriages 52 in such manner that small portions thereof .willproject from beneath the clamp arms 82 when the latter are lowered,whereby these'projecting portions may be cutoff by the knives. Also, inorder to prevent adhesion between the walls 'of the tube when clampedtogether, a material such as soapstone or the like is applied to theinterior of the tube, as will be understood. Hand valves 286 now areoperated and it will beapparent that the following events will occur.Fluid first will pass from the low pressure supply line 288 throughvalves 266 and conduits 264 and 262 into the dome of valve |58 to urgethe stem |68 thereof downs wardly. This .will cause the passage of fluidfrom manifold 200, through high pressure tank 250, conduit 252, valve|58, conduits 258 and 16, into the lower ends of cylinders 6.6, thus-toovercome the low pressure on the upper surfaces of pistons 68 and tolower the clamp arms 82 to properly secure the tube ends 'on thecarriages in flattened condition. While fluid is passing to conduit 262through conduit 268, it alsowill pass from the latter conduit intoconduit B22-to operate switch 3|@ and start motor 280 to rotate camshaft 268.

Upon rotation of cam shaft 268, c am 288 opens valve 298 and permits ailow of fluid from the low pressure supply line '238, through conduit802,

manifold 300, andsvalve-298, into conduit 268 to insure a` flow of fluidfrom the latter conduit'intoV conduit 262 to keep the clamp arms downand into conduit 822 to keep the motor in operation.

Therefore, it will be apparent that as soon as valve 298 has been openedby cam 288, hand valves 266 can be closed, and the motor will continueto operate with the clamp arms remaining down. .In operating the device,hand valves266 therefor, Aare closed' shortly after Athe motorl begins`to operate.

referred to.

As cam shaft 268 continues to rotate, cam 288 will open valve 296 andperm'it a flow. of fluid from` supply line 238 through conduit 302,manifold 300, valve 296, conduits 226 and 224l into the domes of valves|56 and |54 respectively. This action 5 will lower valve stems |68 inthe latter'valves 'and allow fluid to pass from manifold 200 throughconduit 280, valve |56 and conduit |28 Ainto the upper end of cylinder|4. At the same time fluid will exhaust from the lower end of cylinder||4 l0 through conduit |30, valve |54, conduits 228,- 206a`nd 208into'muiller 2 |2. AT'hus the knives |24 will be lowered and will severthe ends of thetubes projecting from beneath the clamp arms. Thesinuated portions onthe knives intert with the l5 similar portions uponthe clamp arms and as a consequence, after the knives sever the rubber,the freshly exposed surfaces of the latter will be serrated or notchedsimilar to the notches of the carriages. By reason of the heat impartedto 20 the rubber by the heat-in the knives, the freshly exposed surfacesare relatively soft and tacky. However, as before stated, it is notessential that the knives be heated, as tacky surfaces on the ends ofthe tube can be obtained without the .ald 25 of heat and a very goodcold'splice can be made. After the knives have performed their function,valve 296 closes and it will be apparent that the knives then willreturn to elevated position'.

yPractically simultaneously'with theelosing of 30 valve 296, valve 294also is closed by the movement of cam 284 out of contact therewith. It

will beA remembered that valve 290 was open initially' and it'hasremained open during the preceding steps of the cycle. The closing ofvalve 290 releases the pressure on the dome of valve |60 therebypermitting valve stem E88 thereof to rise to release the pressurethrough valve |80 from manifold 208. This release of pressure throughthe latter valve and in conduit 238 will 40 .result in the equalizationof pressure on opposite .to raise the rack, the latter will rise to itshighest position, thus affording aslight additional separation ofcarriages 82 for the purpose previously Also, with the release ofpressure in conduit 28l,.it will be noted that no pressure 'will beexerted on the lower face of anvil piston 98 and that the pressureexerted on the upper face thereof from the low pressure supply line 288,willbe sumcient to lower the anvil out of the path of movement of thecarriages. Doward movement of piston 96 will exhaust uid through thevarious passages leading to conduit .208 and.

will cause a blast to be directed from the latter conduit for'thepurpose previously explained. 60

As soon as the foregoing steps have been comf pleted, the cam shaft willhave reacheda posi- `manifold l|08, valve 292, and conduit 820, intocylinder 828 to move rod 8|8 into a position assisting red 3| 6 inholding closed switch 898. Fora short period of time both rods 3|8 andN8 serve the same function. Also, as valve 292 opens, l j fluid passesfrom supply line 288 through this /valve into conduits |96 and |90 toenter the` domes of-valves |82 and |50 respectively. `The stems'in thelatter valves thereby `will be urged downwardiy ano uuid win pessimamanifold een 3B into the upper end of the rack cylinder 28' to urge therack downwardly to move carriages 52 toward each other. Fluid willexhaust from the lower end of cylinder 2l through the various passagesprovided therefor into muilier 2i2. .As the carriagesmove toward eachother, the ends of the tube are brought into contact and the serratedsurfaces on the ends internt with each other to form an excellentsplice. Preferably, these tube ends are held in contact with each otherfor a few seconds in order to insure complete adhesion.

After the splice is complete, cam III will have reached a positionclosing valve 29| and releasing the pressure in conduit 322 leading tocylinder 121|, thereby releasing the pressure on rod III whereby thelatter rod will not satisfactorily hold l:sus

the switch closed. From this point in the cycle of operation until thelatter is complete, rod Ils functions to keep the switch closed and themotor in operation. With the closing of valve 2li, it will be apparentthat the pressure in conduits 2M and -262 will be released, thusallowing the valve stem in valve lll to rise. whereby the flow of fluidthrough this'valve from the manifold will be stopped. This will resultin a release of pressure on the lower faces of pistons Il and the lowpressure constantly acting onthe upper faces of these pistons will movethe latter downwardly,

ously must cease to operate and after it stops,

cam 28| will be in a position holding open valve Islto insure the returnto initial positions of the anvil |00 and the piston rod I limitingupward Imovement of rack 4I. In operation, the

rack may have reached its upper limit of movement after valve 2l!closes, but the rod l has suillcient pressure acting thereon to push therack downwardly to insure the latter being in proper starting position.The cycle may be repeated by again opening hand valves 266, as will beunderstood.

'Ihe freshly spliced tube may beplaced in a suitable mold (not shown)and vulcanized. The union produced is most clearly shown in Fig. 8, inwhich the serrated ends ofthe tube are shown joined together along theline lll.

The machine may be used to splice' together the ends of single units ofrubber, such as inner tubes for tiresl or flat strips such as areemployedl as tread units for tires, or it may be employed for splicing aplurality of units to form. single units.

The use ofthe machine results in the formation of a splice which issubstantially uniform in thickness, therebyobviating any unsightlyvridges about the articles atithe point of the splice. Also, the spliceis effected mechanically in a minimum period of time. A furtheradvantage of the use of the invention consists in the factthat by reasonof the' automatic nature of the operation of the machine; skilled laborfor the operation t thereof is unnecessary. Therefore, laborers who mayb e obtained at a small expense may beemployed in the operationthereof., l

Although I have illustrated and described but fthe preferred embodimentof the invention, it will be apparent to those Vskilled in the .art thatthe invention is-not so limited but that various ncations may be madetherein without dep rting carriages, an anvil dis through conduit 2li,valve lll, conduits 221| and from the spirit of theinvention 'or fromthe scope of the appended' claims.

What I claim is:

i. A machine for splicing two portions of rubber comprisinglongitudinally movable carriages, s means for clamping the portions uponthe carriages, means for heating the surfaces which are to be joined,'and means to move the carriages toward. each other to bring thesurfaces into contact with each other.

2. A machine for splicing two portions of unvulcanized rubber comprisinga pair of coaxially reciprocating carriages, means for clamping theportions to be spliced upon the carriages, and means to sever smallportions from the ends of 15 the portions to be spliced, and means toreciprocate the carriages to bring the freshly exposed surfaces intocontact with each other.

3. A machine for splicing a plurality of portions of unvulcanlzed rubberwhich comprises a zo Y pair of coaxially reciprocating carriages, meansfor clamping the portions to be spliced upon the carriages, means forsevering small portions from the ends of the members to be spliced,means for heating the freshly exposed surfaces, and means 2s toreciprocate the carriages to bring the exposed surfaces into contactwith each other.

4. A machine for splicing aplurality of bodies of unvulcanized rubbercomprising a pair of co-A axally reciprocating carriages,l 1means toclamp s0 the bodies upon the carria'ges, means to sever portions fromthe bodies Iupon the carriages thereby to expose fresh surfaces ofrubber, means to bring the surfaces into contact, and means forsuccessively initiating the operation of the prea5 viously describedmeans.

5. A machine for splicing two portions of rubber comprising a pair` jofcoaxially reciprocating ed between the carriages for supporting'the poons, a reciprocating knife 40 for cutting portions `rubber from theportions, means to reciprocate the carriages, means for successivelycausing the actuation of the knife to sever portionsfrom the bodies,means to move the anvil out of the path of the carriages, and 45 -meansto cause the actuation of the carriages toward each other to bring thefreshly exposed surfaces of the portions in to contact with each other.

8. In a machinefor splicing an inner tube, in '50 combination clampingarms operable to flatten 'and hold nat the ends of the tube, means forheating the ends of the tube to produce tacky surfaces thereon, andmeans operable after operation of' said arms for uniting the tacky sur-55 faces in abutting relation while the tube ends are held flat. f, y

7. In a machine for splicing an inner tube, in combination arms operableto flatten the ends of the tube, cutters for severing a portion from theends of the tube while said ends are held flat to provide freshlyexposed surfaces thereon, andmeans operable after operation of said armsfor uniting said surfaces in abutting relation while the tube ends areheld fiat.

8. In a machine for splicing aninner tube, in combination arms operableto flatten the ends of thev tube, cutters for severing a portion fromthe ends of the tube while said ends are held fast to provide freshly lexposed surfaces thereon, means to 'produce a ,tacky condition of thefreshly exposed surfaces, and means operable after operation of saidarms for uniting said surfaces in abutting relation lmember adapted tobe arranged between the carriages and movable out of the path of travelof the latter, means for securing rubber on each of said carriages withportions of the rubber projecting therefrom, means for cutting ofi saidprojecting portions, means for vmoving said member out of the path oi'travel'of the carriages. and means for moving the carriages toward eachother to bring the pieces ,ofk rubber together. f

10. Ay combinationas recited in claim 9 in which each carriage isprovided with serrated 'or notched edges, said member being provided`with similar edges adaptedto interiit with the carriage edges.

11. A combination as recited in claim 9 in which each securing means forthe rubber is provided with snuated sides, said cutting means beingprovided with sinuations adapted to intert with said sides and toprovide serrated surfaces on the portions of rubber to be spliced.

12. In a machine for splicing rubber, in combination, means forsupporting at least two pieces I of rubber with their adjacent ends incompletely flat spaced relation, means for simultaneously heating andsevering portions of the rubber to provide freshly exposed tackysurfaces, said severing means being provided with sinuations adapted toform serrations on the freshly exposed surfaces, and means for movingthe pieces of rubber together to unite the freshly exposed surfaces Withthe respective serrations intertting.

13.In a machine forl splicing rubber, in combination, means forsupporting at least two pieces of rubber with their adjacent ends incompletely fiat spaced relation, means for simultaneously heating andforming serrated edges onV the surfaces of the rubber to be spliced,and'7 means for moving the edges of the rubber into contact with y therespective serrations interiltting.

14. A machine for splicing an inner tube comprising spaced movablesupports each receiving.

an' end of the tube, av clamping arm operable to completely atten andhold completely fiat each end of the tube on its respective support, andmeans operable after operation of said arms for moving said supportstoward each other and thereby moving said tube ends `into abuttingengagement with each other to be united while held completely fiat.

15. A machine for splicing an inner tube comprsing spaced movablesupports each receiving an end of the tube, a clamping arm operable tocompletely flatten .and hold completely flat each end of the tube on itsrespective support, means for simultaneously heating and removingportions from each end of thetube to produce tacky surfaces at the endsof the tube, andmeans operable after operation` of said heating andremoving means ior moving said supports toward Veach other and therebymoving said tacky tube ends into abutting engagement with' each other tobe united while completely heldat.

16. A machine of the character described in claimin which the clampingarms, the means toproduce tacky surfaces and the means `for moving thetube ends together are operated autofrom the ends of the tube while saidends are held i'lat to provide freshly exposed surfaces thereon, andmeans operable after the operation of said arms for moving saidsupports` toward each otherv thereby moving said freshly exposed 5 tubeends into abutting engagement with each other to be united While helddat.

18. A machine of the character described in claimv 17 in which theclamping arms, the cutters and the means for moving the tube endstogether 10 are operated automatically in succession.

19A machine for-splicing an inner tube com l prising spaced movablesupports each receiving an end of the tube, a clamping arm operable toflatten and hold at each 'end of the tube on its 15 respective support,means for heatingthe ends of the tube to produce tacky surfaces thereon,and means operable after the operation of said arms for moving saidsupports toward each other and thereby moving said tacky tube ends into20 abutting engagement with each other to be united while held iiat.

20. A machine of the character described in claim 19 in which theclamping arms, the heating means and means for moving the tube endstogether are operated automatically in succession.

21. A machine'for splicing an inner tube comprising spaced movablesupports each receiving an end of the tube, a clamping arm operable toiiatten and hold flat each end of the tube on its respective support,\heated lcutters for severing a portion from the ends of the tube toprovide freshly exposed heated surfaces thereon, and means operableafter the operation' of said arms for moving said supports toward eachother and thereby moving said freshly exposed heated tube ends intoabutting engagement with each other to be united while held nat.

22. A machine of the character described in claim 21 in which thel.clamping arms, the heated 40 cutters and the means for moving the tubeends together are operated automatically in succession.

23. Tube splicing apparatus comprising 'means for supporting the endportions of a length of tubing in determinate positions, means forsevering material from the respective ends of the tubing while they areso supported, and means for subsequently effecting such relativemovement of the tube supports as to bring the tube ends forcibly intoend-to-end engagement.

24. Tube splicing apparatus comprising means for supporting the endportions of a length of tubing in determinate positions, means forsevering material from the respective ends of the tubing while they areso supported, and means for effecting such relative movement of the tubesupports as to bring the tube ends forcibly into end-to-end engagement,said severing means be- 25. In tube splicing apparatus the combination`of a pair of clamps adapted to flatten the respective end portions of atube and to support themin determinateA positions, means forconcurrently severing material from the respective end portions of thetube, and means for moving the clamps together to bring the tube endsforcibly into end-to-end engagement. i

26. A machine for splicing an inner tube cornprising means forcompletely flattening and holding completely flat th^ ends of the tube,and

means for moving the flattened ends into en-v gagement with each otherwhereby the ends may be joined while Acompletely fiat.

27. A machine for splicing an inner tube coml prising means forcompletely flattening the ends --quently uniting said tach surfaceswhile the tube of the tube, means to produce a tacky condition 'at theends of the tube, and means to subsequently move the tacky surfaces intoengagement while the ends of the tube are completely flat.

28. A machine for splicing an inner tube comprising means for completelyattening the ends of the tube, means for severing a portion from -theends of the tube to provide freshly exposed tacky surfaces thereon, andmeans for subseends are completely fiat. f

29. A machine for splicing an inner tube co prising means for flatteningthe ends of the tube, means for serving a portion from the ends of thetube to provide freshly exposed surfaces thereon, means to produce atacky condition of the freshly exposed surfaces, and means for vunitingsaid surfaces while the tube ends areat.

30. A machine -for splicing rubber comprising spaced movable means eachreceiving a portion oi the rubber, mechanism for holding the rubberportions upon said means with their ends in completely flattenedpositions, means for severing a part from the ends of each of the rubberportions to provide freshly exposed tacky surfaces thereon, and meansoperable after operation of said severing means for moving the portionsinto contact with each other.

31. A machine for splicing an inner tube comprising means for flatteningthe ends of the tube, means for severing a portion from the ends of thetube to provide end surfaces at right angles to the surface of the tube,and means for uniting sai end surfaces to form a butt splice.

32. A machine for splicing aninner tube comprising means for flatteningthe ends of the tube, means for severing a portion from the ends of thetube to provide end surfaces at right angles to thev vsurface of thetube, means to, produce a tacky l condition at the ends of the tube, andmeans for uniting the ends in straight abutting relation while the tubeends are completely flat. Y

34. In a machine for splicing an inner tube, in combination, armsoperable to-completely flatten the ends of the tube, means to produceatacky condition at the ends of the tube, and means operable afteroperation of said arms and subsequent to the operation of saidfirst-named means to move the tacky surfaces into straight abuttingengagement while the ends of the tube are held l0` completely flat. Y

35. In a machine for splicing an inner tube, in combination, armsoperable to completely flatten the ends of the tube, cutters forproviding freshly exposed serrated surfaces on the ends of, the tubewhile said ends are held completely fiat, and means operable afteroperation of said armsand subsequentto the operation of said cutters-forj uniting said surfaces with the serrations in intertting relation whilethe tube ends are held completely flat. 't

36. A machine for splicing two pieces of rubber comprising spacedmovable supports each receiving a portion of the rubber, arms operableto completely flatten the ends of the rubber portions upon saidsupports, means operable while said ends are held completely flat toproduce a tacky condition at said ends, and means operable afteroperation of said arms and subsequent to the operation of saidfirst-named means for moving said ends into straight abutting contactwhile said ends are held completely flat.

37. A machine for splicing an inner tube comprising spaced movablesupports each receiving an end of the tube, clamping arms operable toflatten and hold fiat each end of the tube on its respective support,means to produce tacky surfaces at the ends of the tube, and meansoperable after operation of said arms for moving said supports towardeach other and thereby moving said 4o tacky tube ends into abuttingengagement with each other to be united while held completely fiat, saidclamping arms, said means to produce tacky surfaces and said means formovingthe tube ends together being operated automatically-in succes-

